Minister Gayton McKenzie Dissolves Boxing South Africa Board Amid Governance Concerns

In a significant move, South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie, has dissolved the recently appointed board of Boxing South Africa (BSA), a decision made in the “interest of Boxing South Africa and the sport as a whole.” This comes just a day after the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts, and Culture issued a 21-day ultimatum for McKenzie to present a comprehensive plan addressing the ongoing challenges within BSA.

The Portfolio Committee also called for a forensic investigation into BSA’s affairs, signaling the gravity of the governance issues plaguing the entity. The board, chaired by Sifiso Shongwe, had only been appointed in May by McKenzie’s predecessor, Zizi Kodwa. However, the appointment was marred by legal disputes initiated by the National Professional Boxing Promoters’ Association (NPBPA), which claimed that due consultation was not conducted.

Initially, McKenzie had vowed to contest the legal challenge in court. However, he has since reversed this stance, citing the excessive costs of litigation as a key factor. “The case is costing the Department excessive amounts of money, and it is undesirable to proceed with spending monies on ongoing litigation,” McKenzie stated, emphasizing that departmental funds should be judiciously used for the benefit of athletes and creatives.

The minister further clarified that after discussions with the current board, it was decided not to continue opposing the NPBPA’s application. As a result, the board of Boxing South Africa will be dissolved. “This decision is taken in the interest of Boxing South Africa and the sport as a whole,” the department’s statement reads.

Boxing South Africa has been under a cloud of governance issues for years. During a recent presentation of its annual report to the Committee, BSA disclosed that it had to seek financial assistance from the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture to pay staff salaries after exhausting its allocated budget three months before the financial year ended.

Despite the dissolution, Minister McKenzie expressed his gratitude to the outgoing board for their efforts in attempting to steer BSA towards stability. “This decision is in no way a reflection on them or their efforts, but restarting the appointment process is now the most responsible thing we can do. I would like to thank them for their understanding of the decision and for putting the sport first,” McKenzie concluded.

This development underscores the ongoing challenges within Boxing South Africa, highlighting the need for a robust and transparent governance structure to safeguard the future of the sport in the country.